25 Ice Skating Event Ideas to Boost Rink Attendance & Community Engagement

Looking to bring more life, energy, and fun to your ice rink? Hosting themed events and community activities is a fantastic way to attract new visitors, engage regulars, and create unforgettable memories. From holiday skate nights to corporate team-building sessions, here are the top ice skating event ideas to inspire your next season.

Themed Skating Nights

Bring excitement and personality to your rink with creative themed nights. These events are easy to organize and always a crowd-pleaser.

Decades Nights – Invite skaters to dress up in attire from the ’80s, ’90s, or even disco eras. Play music from the chosen decade and use themed decorations.
Superhero or Princess Nights – Encourage costumes and create a magical atmosphere with themed music and staff in character.
Neon Nights – Turn off the lights and bring out the blacklights! Add glow sticks, neon clothing, and vibrant lighting for a fun, high-energy vibe.
Disney-Themed Skates – Hire staff or volunteers to dress up as Disney characters. A perfect fit for families with young children.

Family Fun Days

Appeal to families with interactive skating sessions designed for all ages.

Ice Skating Games – Organize games like Freeze Skate, Musical Chairs on ice, or obstacle courses.
Crafts & Face Painting – Set up stations off the ice for crafts, coloring, or face painting.
Character Appearances – Invite local mascots or popular cartoon characters to join the fun.
Photo Booths – Create a memory station where families can take themed photos during the event.

Seasonal and Holiday Skates

Make the most of seasonal celebrations by turning them into themed skating events.

Holiday Skating Events – Add Christmas lights, holiday music, and a visit from Santa.
Halloween Skate-a-Thon – Invite guests to dress in costume and skate to spooky tunes.
St. Patrick’s Day Skate – Green outfits, Irish music, and green-themed snacks make this a hit.
Neighbourhood Fundraiser Skate – Host a local cause-focused event and raise funds while building community spirit.

Corporate & Private Events

Your rink can be more than just a public space—it’s also a great venue for private bookings.

Team Building on Ice – Offer Try Hockey or Broomball sessions for local companies, followed by food and social time in a party room.
Corporate Skate Parties – Provide full-service private skate bookings with catering, DJs, and event support.

Community Events That Make an Impact

Ice rinks are great spaces to bring the community together—especially with events designed to support and uplift.

Senior Skates – Offer discounted or free morning skate sessions with coffee and muffins after.
Health & Wellness Skates – Partner with local health agencies for screenings or wellness information sessions.
Fundraising Skates – Raise money for charities, schools, or sports teams with public skate fundraisers.
Neighbourhood Skate Day – Celebrate your community and raise funds for a local cause.

Empowerment & Education Events

Give your rink a bigger purpose with programs that educate and empower.

Intro to Hockey or Figure Skating – Host beginner sessions that walk through equipment, safety, and game basics.
Teen Skate Night + Online Safety – Invite local police to talk about digital safety while teens enjoy a night of skating and music.
Teen Career Night on Ice – Bring in the Chamber of Commerce to talk about local job opportunities, resume tips, and summer work programs.
Empowering Girls Skate Day – Partner with local organizations to host a girls’ camp or workshop followed by an uplifting skate session.

Enhance the Skating Experience

The details matter—here’s how to take your event from good to unforgettable.

Food & Beverage

Food Trucks – Bring variety to your events by inviting local food trucks.
Hot Chocolate Bars – Offer themed drinks like hot chocolate with marshmallows or whipped cream.
Catering – For private or corporate events, make catering available.

Music & Lighting

DJ Services – A great DJ can energize your event and keep the crowd moving.
Light Shows – Enhance themed events with dynamic lighting effects and blacklights.

Branding & Merch

Custom Apparel – Sell personalized jerseys or hoodies to build a sense of community and create an additional revenue stream.
Social Media Promotion – Build excitement by promoting events on social media and sharing highlights after each event.

Rink Essentials

Skate Rentals & Sharpening – Make sure skate rentals are affordable and sharpening services are available.
Photo Stations – Set up themed backgrounds for selfies and group photos.

Final Thoughts

Hosting engaging skating events is one of the best ways to grow your rink’s popularity and build lasting connections with your community. Whether you’re planning a glow-in-the-dark skate night or a corporate team-building session, these ideas can help you turn your rink into a go-to destination for fun, fitness, and community.

Ready to plan your next event? Let us know how we can help or share your favorite skating event ideas in the comments below!